Brazil Ministry of Health digital transformation and policy

The Brazilian Ministry of Health has undergone leadership changes and launched new strategic initiatives to modernize the Unified Health System (SUS).

Following the resignation of Ana Estela Haddad to join a presidential campaign, Maria Aparecida da Silva, a physician and former deputy secretary, was appointed as the new Secretary of Information and Digital Health (SEIDIGI). Her appointment is intended to ensure continuity in the digital transformation of the SUS.

Building on these structural changes, the Ministry announced the National Information and Digital Health Policy (PNISD). This policy seeks to integrate health information, expand telehealth, and improve data sharing via the National Health Data Network (RNDS).

In a recent expansion of its clinical and emergency strategies, the Ministry, in partnership with the National Council of Municipal Health Secretariats (Conasems), launched a national strategy to transition from NPH human insulin to glargine insulin within the SUS. This initiative aims to address global NPH shortages by strengthening domestic production and providing professional qualification. The transition specifically targets children with type 1 diabetes (ages 2 to under 18) and individuals over 70 with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, utilizing glargine for its improved glucose stability.

Simultaneously, the Ministry has formalized its response plan for the 2026-2027 El Niño cycle. The plan, presented to state secretaries, addresses climate-related health impacts such as droughts in the North and Center-West, heatwaves in the Southeast, and flooding in the South. Strategic measures include the deployment of the SUS National Force and the provision of emergency pharmaceutical kits.